Join us for the first regional North Carolina and Virginia Hops Conference with a special pre-conference event for beginning growers. This event is co-chaired by Jeanine Davis, hops researcher and extension specialist at NC State University and Stan Driver, co-chairman of the Old Dominion Hops Cooperative and owner of Hoot’n Holler Hops.

FOR BEGINNING HOP GROWERS: This session will be held on Friday afternoon (March 13) from 2:00 to 6:00 pm with registration opening at 1:00 pm. Learn how to grow hops from experienced growers in the region. Instructors are Rita Pelczar and John Wright of Blue Ridge Hops in western North Carolina and David Goode of Piedmont Hops with hop yards in NC and VA.

THE MAIN EVENT: The conference on Saturday (March 14) is designed to bring together a large number of regional hop growers and brewers to help continue to grow the Southeastern hops industry. Working together we can avoid many frustrations and disappointments and build a strong, vibrant industry. Keynote speaker is Steve Miller, Cornell University hops specialist. Other speakers include experienced growers, local craft breweries, researchers from North Carolina and Virginia, and other industry representatives. Registration opens at 8:00 am with the conference running from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. Lunch will be served. The Agenda is posted on the Eventbrite page.

Want to learn how to have a more sustainable lifestyle? Grow and prepare your own food, raise backyard chickens, and save money on your utilities. Or just find ways to live simply. More than 15,000 people from around the country are expected to attend. Dr. Jeanine Davis is speaking woodland botanicals and hops. Our program will offer demonstrations in our booth.

Together with the Western North Carolina Farmers Market (operated by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture), the Asheville Herb Festival has increased the public’s knowledge and love of herbs and herbal products for two decades. Our 25th annual festival will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 2, 3 & 4, 2014 at the WNC Farmers Market in Asheville, offering by far the best selection of herb plants in the southeast. Visit the directory page of our website to learn more about this year’s vendors.